Handbag designer, Dee Ocleppo debuted her new, fabulous 2012 Holiday Collection for Deesigns by Dee Ocleppo on Wednesday, at The Plaza Hotel Residencies. The collection is set to premiere on HSN on December 12, 2012.

Guests mingled in the intimate surroundings of Dee and Tommy Hilfiger’s New York home, where they were able to browse and buy for the holidays at the exclusive trunk show. The line includes reversible and interchangeable covers that button off to create unique, multifaceted handbags and is best understood and instantly loved when seen firsthand. The special preview made guests feel at home while they mixed and matched different covers and frames of DEESIGNS’ handbags.

DEESIGNS by Dee Ocleppo’s focus is on customization and signature style, where one can choose a bag frame and from a selection of coverlets to create their own distinct look. The holiday collection includes a smaller clutch designed for a night out on the town, which can be worn three different ways. The clutch can be used as is, or with a reversible cover over it, which is faux fur on one side and faux leather on the other. DEESIGNS’ totes are also a popular selection with different handles including tortoise shell links and carved wood. All handbags have various covers available for each style and priced at under $250.

ABOUT DEESIGNS BY DEE OCLEPPO: The perfect designer bag…is more than just one bag. Dee Ocleppo (better known to some as Mrs. Tommy Hilfiger) combines collectable frames with interchangeable coverlets so you get multiple designer handbags in one. Add more covers and endless style is in the bag.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The following was written by CSI star Gerald McCullouch. Gerald will be guest starring with Cyndi Lauper on Bones for their 150th episode on Monday. Be sure to tune in!

I’ve never been one to hold a grudge. Ain’t my style. It gives the person or thing you have a grudge against too much power. And you willingly give your happiness away, freely, to the person or thing which least deserves it. It’s been a lifelong goal of mine to be happy and it’s something I work diligently towards, so I do all I can to not give it away to Road-Ragers or outsourced customer care representatives. Or, more appropriately, casino security guards whose homophobia is enshrined in Nevada State Law.

For 10 seasons I played “Bobby Dawson” on CSI. As CSI is set in Las Vegas, I’ve spent some incredible times in that city. My recent trip began very similarly. My boyfriend and I were given the star treatment at Tao, hit a red carpet opening of a new Las Vegas bar, casino hopped gambling and drinking our way up the strip, and then headed back to Mandalay Bay and The Four Seasons at a rather reasonable time for Las Vegas standards. Paul, my boyfriend, was up about $100 and I was down about the same amount, repeatedly, so affectionate playfulness infiltrated our evening.

As our taxi arrived at our destination our playfulness continued as we hopped out of the taxi and headed to our Four Seasons Suite. Following a few attempts at giving each other flat tires and good, old-school Charlie Horses, we were suddenly approached by three Mandalay Bay Security Guards who, supposedly, took an interest in making sure our rough housing was in fun and not a possible escalation into conflict. I confirmed with Robert Lake, head security officer at Mandalay Bay, that all was fine. That Paul and I were boyfriends. That we were celebrating our anniversary. That we had just arrived that day from LA and were flying back to LA in the afternoon. And that we were simply on our way to our hotel room after our night out.

In an instant, Paul and I were gripped at our triceps and pulled away from each other. We were told that if we were boyfriends, then our actions were regarded as Domestic Violence. We were assertively escorted away from the entrance of the Four Seasons and through the Mandalay Bay Casino.

Paul and I were both frozen with disbelief. I stated multiple times that there was no need for concern, that Paul and I weren’t engaged in any sort of conflict, that we fly back to LA in the afternoon and want to get back to our room to get some sleep. With each affirmation of our relationship the tension seemed to build between us and the three security guards escorting us through the casino and it’s back hallways towards the main security office and holding area.

We were kept separate from each other. I was given no further explanation of what was happening. Approximately two hours later, a Las Vegas Police Officer arrived and arrested both Paul and I for domestic violence.

Paul asked why we were charged with domestic violence if we were obviously just roughhousing and there was no harm intended. To which the officer asked him if Paul and I engaged in certain sexual activities. Paul declined to be as specific as the officer but agreed that he and I were in a sexual relationship.

“Then if you have sex with each other it’s Domestic Violence”

No Miranda Rights were read. One of the guards rapidly read us a diatribe about being guilty of trespassing and no longer allowed in any of the MGM Casinos. The MGM Casinos include all of Las Vegas practically: Aria, Bellagio, Vdara, MGM Grand, Madalay Bay, The Mirage, Mote Carlo, Luxor, New York New York, Excalibur, and Circus Circus, namely.

I’ve never been arrested. Nor has Paul. So we had no idea what we were in store for. And I’m certain that experiencing it in Las Vegas is rather epitome-adjacent.

Over the next 16 hours I trudged amongst the arrested mob from holding area to booking area where personal items and cell phones and layers of clothing were taken, to another holding area where cursory health exams were given – both mental and physical - and statements were taken, to long term holding cells – very long term - to a payment cubicle where I posted my bail of $3,500, to a holding cell for those about to be released, to being released into the streets of downtown Las Vegas. As Paul and I were charged with Domestic Violence we were kept separate and he was released about two hours after me so his journey was 18 hours. Happy anniversary.

During my 16 hours in jail I learned that, by Nevada State law, all Domestic Violence complaints result in arrest. And a mandatory jail stay of at least 12 hours. No questions asked. So once Robert Lake and the other security guards knowingly decided to label Paul’s and my actions as Domestic Violence they were all very aware that neither Paul nor I would be returning to our hotel room or be able to make our flight back to LA or have much ability to enjoy our anniversary any further.

We hired an attorney and over the next few months learned that similar situations happen all the time in Vegas. I told our lawyer that I was currently writing a column for The Advocate.com and had every intention of writing an Op-Ed on the experience. He urged me to do so - saying that there is a major gap in the Nevada State Law intended to protect civilians who are under harm and Las Vegas Security Guards’ ability to label any actions they are uncomfortable with as ‘Domestic Violence’ to ensure a jail stay for those they charge with that offense.

Before our court dates and the writing of this Op-Ed, I contacted MGM to attempt to remedy the situation. To tell them of the incident.

When I spoke with Yvette Monet in Public Affairs, she first inquired if Paul and I were still together. I said we were. To which she retorted “Well, then, it wasn’t all that bad, was it?” She stated that MGM invests regularly in gay advertising and has been honored with multiple awards for their support of LGBT causes. She apologized for the incident but said that due to the size of the corporation, any action would have to come from the security department and she didn’t think that likely as they will inevitably stand by their actions. And she was certain those actions must have been justified. She ensured a follow up phone call in the next few days. The follow up phone call never came.

Due to lack of evidence, Paul’s and my hearing was rescheduled. Twice. Eventually all chargers were dropped. There was no evidence on any of the myriad of surveillance cameras permeating the casino entrance of Paul and I in any conflict. No one we met during our evening – the amazing Tao management team who gave us the red carpet treatment, the owners of the new gay bar, Share, and all those that attended the opening, blackjack dealers, fellow befriended gamblers, bartenders – no one – ever observed anything other than respect and compassion between Paul and I. There was only the domestic violence charge itself from Robert Lake. The case was dismissed.

I write this not to retaliate, but to educate. To bring to light that sadly, in a city with which I have developed such a unique bond and a seemingly supportive corporation in which I have spent thousands of dollars staying at practically all of their properties in Las Vegas - it’s a big ole’ buzz kill that I have to temper my affections with the man I love while in their dominion. And when it comes to respecting my personal liberties and rights as well as those of my boyfriend and of every member of the LGBT community, we are only a dollar sign to them. Nothing more. And after they have our dollars in their possession, there’s not much respect for us after that. How uniquely Las Vegas.

Editors Note: This incident happened last year and was just settled recently, with charges being dropped because of no evidence against Gerald McCullouch. MGM Grand Cooperation had no videos to back up their claims, yet they allowed their security to prosecute a loyal customer and a TV star to boot. Seems to us here, that Gerald is right saying all they care about is the gay money and not the gay customer. I would contact the MGM publicists, but even after all the stories we have done to promote their properties, I am sure there would be no comment. But we will send it to them anyway, and print their version if there is one. It would seem safer for the gay customer to stay away from MGM Casinos.

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters once again embarked on an extended holiday tour of global U.S. military bases – the eleventh time in nine years that the “Ambassadors of Goodwill” have entertained U.S. troops overseas.

During the 10-game tour, the Globetrotters will play for the first time ever in Afghanistan, marking 121 countries and territories in which the Globetrotters have performed in their illustrious history.

Made possible by Navy Entertainment and Armed Forces Entertainment, the tour will also feature shows on U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Djibouti, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as a performance on an active-duty U.S. aircraft carrier.

“While there is no way to fully express our admiration of the U.S. Armed Forces, it’s an incredible honor for our players to bring the troops a little piece of home, especially at this time of the year,” said Harlem Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. “Without the sacrifices made daily by these brave men and women, the Harlem Globetrotters would not have the opportunity to bring joy to families all over the world.”

After a year full of firsts – including performing in front of a television audience of 200 million at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and then performing on stage last month with super star Jennifer Lopez in Moscow, Russian singing sensation, EMIN, took a bit out of the Big Apple last night with his US launch party at Donna Karan’s beautiful space, Stephan Weiss Studios.

More than 120 guest enjoyed “EMIN-tinis” created especially for the occasioned by the famed Russian Tea Room. EMIN, whose debut single, “Baby Get Higher,” is #13 on Billboard’s Hot Single Sales chart was one of the songs he performed live to the excited crowd. The full-length CD, After the Thunder, hit streets yesterday.

This winter, beginning Dec. 7, HGTV is featuring six glamorous specials highlighting celebrities and their A-list dwellings, from mansions and luxurious movie set trailers to a famous 16th century castle in Great Britain and America’s best-known home, the White House. HGTV decks the halls with Hollywood celebrities like Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke, and tours the places stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Kellie Pickler call home when they are on the road and on set. Viewers can also take a peek into some famous houses, including the former home of the Queen of Pop, Madonna, the home of America’s first family and the lavish estates of Great Britain’s most notable families, one of which can be seen on a critically-acclaimed PBS series.

“We’re ready to dazzle viewers with a celebrity-packed line up of programming this winter,” said HGTV’s General Manager Kathleen Finch. “These specials feature today’s biggest stars on the big and small screen, as well as musicians from all genres. Even the history buff has something to look forward to as we head ‘across the pond’ to visit the authentic castle that serves as the set of the popular series Downton Abbey. We are aiming to please the tastes of every HGTV viewer in the coming months with specials that are not just holiday-themed, but that also speak to America’s celebrity-centric culture.”

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wendy Williams greeted holiday shoppers today, with a sexy appeal to cross fur off their lists as she unveiled her "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" ad in Times Square to launch PETA's national winter campaign. The campaign includes two versions of Williams' ad, in which she is covered by nothing but long, flowing hair.

"We should all try to be comfortable in our own skin and let the animals keep theirs," says Williams, who once wore real mink and fox but had a change of heart after learning how animals are electrocuted, beaten, and even skinned alive for their fur.

In addition to her ad, Williams will encourage her viewers to donate their fur coats to PETA so that they can be given to the homeless. PETA is working with shelters in Williams' home state of New Jersey on their coat drives this winter, which have seen greater demand as the numbers of the needy and displaced have increased after Hurricane Sandy.

The cover story of the new issue of Us Weekly is all about Jessica Simpson’s new pregnancy! Christmas is still nearly four weeks away, but Simpson got her biggest -- and totally unexpected! -- present early: Another baby on the way! Seven months after giving birth to daughter Maxwell Drew Johnson, the star is once again expecting, the new issue of Us Weekly exclusively confirms.

"It definitely wasn't planned. But yes, Jessica is pregnant again," a source reveals to Us. The surprise baby-to-be is the second for the singer and Fashion Star mentor, 32, and fiance Eric Johnson. A rep for Simpson had no comment. Engaged for the past two years, Simpson and former NFL pro Johnson, 33, welcomed Maxwell -- a whopping 9 pound, 13 ounce bundle of joy! -- on May 1 of this year.

And while Simpson felt energized about her admirable 70-pound slimdown post-baby, her greatest inspiration is being a mom. Notes the source of pregnancy number two: "She really is overjoyed!"

This issue also features our Holiday Survival Guide, which includes a fashion spread focusing on festive sparkle and jewels, advice on how to drink like a star (and recover the next day), how to handle a big family, how to impress the hostess, how to pick up a guy, how to jazz the guests, and much more! Please let me know if you’d like more information about this section.

TOM & SURI: THANKSGIVING REUNION!

The long-separated Cruises feast together in England

Long time, no see! Tom Cruise reunited with daughter Suri for Thanksgiving – their first face-to-face in three months – at the Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire, England. A source tells Hot Stuff that the actor, shooting All You Need Is Kill in the UK, sent a family member to pick up Suri in NYC (where she has lived with mom Katie Holmes since the exes’ June split). Cruise, 50, and his daughter, 6, then spent the holiday with three friends in a private dining room at the ultraluxe hotel, where they feasted on a large turkey. The star also reportedly had Suri’s room painted pink and toys flown in! Holmes, meanwhile, enjoyed a less elaborate celebration. She visited her parents in her native Toledo, Ohio, before returning to NYC to prep for the November 29 opening of her Broadway show Dead Accounts. “Katie could focus while Suri visited Tom,” says a pal of Holmes, 33. “She’s been doing better each day.”

LINDSAY LOHAN: DISSED BY HER COSTARS

She recently told Us she didn’t want to be known as a “troubled starlet,” yet Lindsay Lohan didn’t help her cause at the November 20 Beverly Hills premiere of Liz & Dick. The five-time rehab vet, 26, showed up an hour and 20 minutes late to the red carpet for Lifetime’s Elizabeth Taylor biopic – delaying a scheduled dinner and irritating her costars. “Let’s make bets on if she shows up or not,” actor Creed Bratton, 69, was overheard griping. Costar David Hunt, 58, complained as well, says a source: “He groaned, ‘I have an early flight tomorrow, and I’m starving. I want to eat!” Even a producer got into the act. The insider says the exec joked to the waiting photographers, “Now you know what it was like making the movie!” Responds a Lohan pal, “Lindsay was late due to a wardrobe issue. People were sewing her dress up to the last second.”

Tiffani Thiessen was recently spotted in front of her Los Angeles home wearing a pair of yellow Crocs while watering her yard. The actress took a break from her motherly duties and acting schedule to attend to some household chores. Her hair was in waves and she donned white jeans, a striped longsleeve and those comfortable and durable Crocs boots.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

SILENCE! The Musical will end its triumphant 18-month run Sunday evening, December 30th at the Elektra Theatre. The production will have played a total of 447 performances and eight previews. Originally announced as a strictly limited engagement through August 13, 2011, SILENCE! was extended numerous times by popular demand and transferred theatres twice, ultimately landing at the new Elektra Theatre in the heart of Times Square, which was constructed especially for the show. SILENCE! opened at Theatre 80 on July 9, 2011 to unanimous rave reviews and spawned a highly successful L.A. production, which is currently running through December 9th at the Hayworth Theatre starring Davis Gaines and Christine Lakin.

Winner of the 2012 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Musical, SILENCE! The Musical is the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell, music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli. The show was selected by Time Magazine as one of the Top 5 Musicals of 2011.

In the Academy Award-winning film The Silence of the Lambs, rookie FBI agent Clarice Starling matches wits with the brilliant but insane cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, to catch the serial killer known only as Buffalo Bill. Clarice faces her own demons while racing the clock to unlock Lecter's clues before another innocent girl is killed and skinned by Buffalo Bill. The laugh-out-loud raunchy satire, SILENCE! The Musical, features a singing chorus of floppy eared lambs narrating the action as Buffalo Bill gleefully dances a hoedown while kidnapping hapless Catherine Martin. Even Dr. Lecter, scary as ever, sings about the life he'd like to lead someday outside the prison walls. Ever since SILENCE! moved uptown last summer to the Elektra Theatre, the enthusiastic audience response has become even more vocal. Just last week, as Buffalo Bill was singing about his psychotic predilection for plus-sized females in “Are You About a Size 14?,” a woman in the front row shouted out, “Don't look here, buddy. I'll f*ck you up!”

On Thanksgiving Day, Southampton Inn offered a true home-away-from-home for families displaced by Hurricane Sandy, as well as electrical workers who came from around the country to support recovery efforts and help restore power to Long Islanders after the storm. Guests enjoyed light hors d’oeuvres followed by a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, including freshly roasted turkey, ham, pumpkin pie and homemade cranberry sauce, together at Southampton Inn’s OSO Restaurant.

Mnet America, a youth entertainment brand for all things Asian cool, which includes the only national, English-language lifestyle network in the U.S. for fans of Asian pop culture, will stream the highly anticipated 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) through their new digital port, MCube (www.mnetamerica.com) on November 30 at 12 am PST / 3 am EST. The live stream will include exclusive English content with three hosts providing commentary throughout the broadcast so that fans will know exactly what is going on at MAMA 2012. Hosting the exclusive English experience will be Danny Lim (Producer, Danny from LA), Hannah Jun (Actress, Model) and Eunice Kiss (Recording Artist, Model, Actress).

MAMA 2012 will feature acts from around the world with some of the biggest artists in K-pop scheduled to take the stage at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Some of the acts attending are Super Junior, Big Bang, SISTAR and PSY, who will collaborate with a special surprise guest for his performance. In addition to the hottest stars from Korea, a slew of international talent from all over the world, including Grammy Award nominee Adam Lambert (American Idol) and hip hop artist and signer songwriter B.o.B, will be performing. Hong Kong’s own Jackie Chan will be presenting.

Omaze has teamed up with MTV and Architecture for Humanity to offer you and your bestie a chance to go to the sold out One Direction show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Monday, December 3rd (yes, that’s less than one week away!). To enter, just head to Omaze.com right now and enter by donating just $10 to the “Restore the Shore” effort, helping rebuild the Seaside Heights boardwalk.Airfare and hotel are included and the winners will each receive custom T-shirts signed by Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis.

About OMAZE

Omaze offers everyone the opportunity to engage in once-in-a-lifetime experiences with celebrities, athletes and the world’s greatest thinkers with the proceeds benefitting a social cause. The process works similar to a charity raffle. The user-friendly site allows anyone to enter to win an Omaze experience of their choice by donating just $5. Once the deadline to enter for the experience passes, Omaze collects all the entries and selects the winners through a third party computer-generated random selection process. The proceeds are delivered to benefit a specific social cause. The goal of the campaign is clearly quantified and they track the impact overtime so participants can see how their donations are impacting lives.

About MTV + Architecture for Humanity

MTV and Architecture for Humanity are teaming up to rebuild the boardwalk of Seaside Heights, which was the hardest hit area of any coastal areas during Hurricane Sandy. The 18-block boardwalk, which is the economic lifeline of the area has been completely devastated. So we have to step up and be the difference that rebuilds this area. With your help we can raise enough money to restore the boardwalk and save this area that is the home to 3,000 people and attracts 65,000 visitors every year.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Soul Train Awards 2012, held at Planet Hollywood Live in Las Vegas, was simulcast on BET and Centric last night. The audience was treated to the best in music entertainment.

Host Cedric the Entertainer, kept everyone laughing while stellar performances from artists including: Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson, New Edition, Ne-Yo, and 2 Chainz, encouraged people of all ages to dance and sing along to their memorable and popular songs.

Celebrities from music, film, sports and television such as Jamie Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Levert, Billy Crystal, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Melanie Fiona, Jody Watley, Doug E. Fresh, Tony Rock, Luke James, Estelle, Donny and Marie Osmond, Vampire Diaries star Kat Graham, and Tamar Braxton, joined Soul Train in celebrating some of the best musical contributions of 2012. This year's show honored New Edition with the Lifetime Achievement Award and paid tribute to late Soul Train founder, Don Cornelius. The contributions Don Cornelius made to music changed the landscape of the industry.

Cedric the Entertainer And Eddie Levert

Jamie Foxx

As a tribute, the Awards show featured video vignettes from old broadcasts, as well as moving words from his son, Tony Cornelius, and Soul Train standout, Jody Watley, who attributes much of her success to Cornelius and Soul Train. New Edition, whose career has spanned 30 years, were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and followed their moving acceptance speech with a performance of their hits: “Candy Girl,” “Telephone Man,” and “If It Isn’t Love.” Their performance reminded the audience why they fell in love with New Edition from the very beginning. An always soul stirring performance by the “8th Wonder of the World,” Stevie Wonder, turned into a massive celebration of President-Elect Barack Obama when his hit “Superstition” was followed by a performance of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” which was accompanied by projected photos of The President. The competition was really tough this year with amazing artists and talent. The 2012 Soul Train Awards Winners are: Best New Artist-- Elle Varner Centric Award -- Leah Labelle Best Gospel/ Inspirational Performance -- Whitney Houston & Jordin Sparks’ “Celebrate” Best Hip Hop Song of the Year – Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz “Mercy” Best R&B/ Soul Female Artist – Beyoncé Best R&B/ Soul Male Artist -- Miguel Album of the Year -- Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange Song of the Year -- Tyrese’s “Stay” The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award --“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)”: John Legend feat. Ludacris Best Dance Performance: Beyonce – “Love On Top”.

In a show of community strength and compassion, Bergen Performing Arts Center is proud to present: Beyond The Storm - A Relief Concert to Benefit The Victims of Hurricane Sandy, that will take place on Sunday, December 9th at 7PM. The concert will feature some of Broadways brightest stars including the world’s best tap dancer Savion Glover, poet Carlos Andrés Goméz, plus established Broadway Stars including Bobby Creighton, Ali Ewoldt, Joy Hermalyn, Adam Jacobs, Elisabeth Stanley, Ali Stroker and more to be announced–all of whom have graciously donated their performances and time to this worthy cause in aiding the victims from Hurricane Sandy. 100% of all funds will be shared among three charities, The Hurricane Sandy Jersey Relief Fund, Pet Res Q who continues to find displaced animals from the storm new homes and the School Districts of Moonachie and Little Ferry. Bergen Performing Arts Center and Ticketmaster has waived all normal ticket fees for this performance and bergenPAC’s union stage hands have donated their time in making this show a success-truly a testament of the community coming together to help those in need.

Broadway performer and creative director Kelli Rabke Agresta with bergenPAC’s Education Director Alexander Diaz have conceptualized an spectacular evening of magnificent performance and a night of giving. The show also includes performances from Bergen County’s youngest and brightest national stars including Liz Gillies “Jade” of Nickelodeon's Victorious, singer/songwriter & actress Heather Braverman, Scarlett Diaz- from The National Tour of Shrek-The Musical, 2012 Englewood Idol Winner Brian Park and special performances from the students from the Bergen Performing Arts School and Violinists from The Elisabeth Morrow School.

In an exclusive interview with "Nightline," Parton dished about her love life (including those rumors that she is secretly gay), losing a drag queen lookalike contest and building an entertainment empire estimated at half a billion dollars.

In her long reign as a country music legend, Parton, now 66, has done it all. In her new motivational memoir, "Dream More," which will be released on Nov. 27, Parton talks about growing up dirt poor in Sevierville, Tenn., in a cabin with 11 siblings. She said she modeled her signature big, blonde hair and red-lipped, voluptuous-Dolly look after the town tramp.

"There was this woman, we won't call her names, but she was beautiful," she said. "I had never seen anybody, you know, with the yellow hair all piled up and the red lipstick and the rouge and the high heeled shoes, and I thought, 'This is what I want to look like.'"

Parton is refreshingly honest about things most entertainers guard ferociously, including rumors about her love life.

"I've... been accused of being involved with every man I'm ever seen with or worked with," she said. "Maybe I have, maybe I ain't. I never tell if I have. But you know people always saying that."

Parton has also been accused of being secretly gay and romantically involved with one of her oldest childhood friends, Judy Ogle. She denied the rumors said she even bonded with talk show queen Oprah Winfrey over the false tabloid claims. Parton has been married to her husband, Carl Dean, for 46 years.

"Like Gail, her friend, Judy, my friend, they just think that you just can't be that close to somebody," Parton said. "Judy and I have been best friends since we were like in the third and fourth grade… We still just have a great friendship and relationship and I love her as much as I love anybody in the whole world, but we're not romantically involved."

As a campy, vampy icon, Parton said she once entered a drag queen look-alike contest -- and lost. The other contestants didn't know they were going up against the real Dolly.

"They had a bunch of Chers and Dollys that year, so I just over-exaggerated -- made my beauty mark bigger, the eyes bigger, the hair bigger, everything," she said, laughing. "All these beautiful drag queens had worked for weeks and months getting their clothes. So I just got in the line and I just walked across, and they just thought I was some little short gay guy.. but I got the least applause."

Parton is a proud supporter of LGBT rights and even hosts "Gay Day" at her theme park, Dollywood, in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Parton said the event caught the attention of the Ku Klux Klan.

"When it first started there were people giving us threats, I still get threats," Parton said. "But like I said, I'm in business. I just don't feel like I have to explain myself. I love everybody."

Parton is also not shy about her numerous plastic surgery procedures, and said aging with her breast implants has been just fine.

"I haven't had to have that done in years, and my girls are going pretty good," she said

Dolly Parton Tells All

Behind that va-va-voom body is a shrewd businesswoman. She starred in several iconic movies such as "9 to 5" and "Steel Magnolias." She has sold 100 million records and had numerous number-one singles. Her 1974 chart-topping hit, "I Will Always Love You," was later immortalized by Whitney Houston in the 1992 blockbuster film, "The Bodyguard."

"When they played it at her funeral and they lifted her coffin up, man, it was like somebody stabbed me in the heart with a knife," Parton said. "It just overwhelmed me."

Her songs are her legacy, but so too is the Imagination Library, Parton's literary program dedicated to her father who couldn't read or write.

"We've given out 40 million books since we've started, which is a lot of books for a lot of kids," she said.

Parton may help a lot of kids, but she and Dean never had children of their own.

"I often wonder, because he's tall and he's dark and I'm little and blonde and I just always wondered what our kids would have looked like had we had them," she said.

Parton said she doesn't have any regrets about not having children.

"God didn't let me have kids so everybody's kids could be mine," she said. "I can keep my nieces and nephews and then when I'm sick of them, I can say, 'Hey, come get these kids, they're driving me crazy.' I'm a Great Aunt Granny, is what they call me."

And Parton has no plans to slow down any time soon.

"I will never retire unless I have to," she said, laughing. "As long as I'm able to get up in the morning, get that makeup on and my high heels on, and even if I can't wear high heels, I'm going to do like Mae West, I'm going to sit in a wheelchair with my high heels on."

DJ Paul “Pauly D” DelVecchio in partnership with The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort today announced he will donate his evening’s paycheck to the Architecture For Humanity Fund with the The Pool After Dark matching his donation. In addition to the donation, the MTV Jersey Shore star and resident DJ will host a special benefit performance at The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort on December 8th. The event dubbed “Spinning for the Shore,” will feature additional opportunities for fans to donate.

Architecture For Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm that aims to build a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more than 50,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, Architecture For Humanity brings design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed. Each year 100,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture For Humanity.

“Working with The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort for this benefit performance really allows me to give back. The success of this event is meant to help rebuild this community not only structurally, but also spiritually,” said resident DJ Pauly D. “We hope that people will come out and see how much fun it can be to support a good cause. I have so many irreplaceable memories at the Jersey Shore and I want everyone else to have that same opportunity. I will do whatever I can to help rebuild. This event is great because people can come out and have a good time while knowing they are doing something to help. I chose to donate to Architecture For Humanity because I wanted to work with a charity directly focused on rebuilding the shore and the community who put me on the map,” continued Pauly.

Doors for the event open at 10pm with tickets beginning at $25 and advanced tickets are available at wantickets.com. Additional surprise guests will be announced within the next coming weeks.

Pawn Shops are becoming more mainstream - as evidenced by the popularity of truTV's Hardcore Pawn franchise. "Hardcore Pawn" reached over 3.1 million viewers last Tuesday night, a record for truTV.

Those of you who are thinking of buy Jewelry or Electronics or even a Fur for your loved ones for Christmas, should check out American Jewelry and Loan, and the stars of Hardcore Pawn. Check out their website for deals that change every week at.

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights launched its 6th Annual Ripple of Hope Holiday Auction with support from some of the world's most recognizable leaders spanning business, sports, arts and entertainment. President Clinton, Ethan Hawke, Taylor Swift, Matthew Broderick, Mandy Patinkin, and Jerry Springer are just a few of notable figures who are featured to raise funds for the RFK Center's work supporting fearless human rights defenders and inspiring a new generation of defenders through its powerful human rights curriculum. The auction, powered by leading charity auction site Charitybuzz, is open to bidders internationally through December 11th at WWW.RFKCENTER.ORG.

"The RFK Center is dedicated to carrying forward Robert Kennedy's legacy and his vision for a more just and peaceful world. We are truly ecstatic about the incredible packages donated this holiday season and touched by the generosity our supporters have shown. From the chance to visit the Facebook headquarters to set visits for some of the hottest shows on television, we are thrilled to be able to offer these experiences in the 2012 Ripple of Hope Holiday Auction," said Kerry Kennedy, President of the RFK Center.

Auction highlights include:

Enjoy a Visit and Discussion with Showtime's Homeland Actor Mandy Patinkin on Location in Charlotte, North Carolina

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Andrew Tierney, Phil Burton, Michael Tierney and Toby Allen of Human Nature, were snapped right before their final show at The Human Nature Theater at Imperial Palace. Human Nature will make a special announcement soon about future performances in Las Vegas.